MM II Identity Parade

[Dannager]

Making up your own plots is all well and good, but DMs can make their own monster stat blocks, too, and yet we've got more than 300 of them (more than most people will use in a year of D&D).

This, I think, is the crux of the issue, though.

Tons of DMs are great at making up their own plots. All that requires is a halfway-decent imagination, which most DMs have.

Tons of DMs suck at making up their own monster stat blocks. That requires deep rules knowledge, in-depth play experience, a mind for math, and the ability to either playtest your creation or anticipate its performance in a tactical encounter.

Given this disparity, it makes sense to give DMs assistance where they need it most - in coming up with compelling, effective mechanics for monsters.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hi all!

Really looking forward to the Monster Manual 2 although looking over the list I am just wondering if the book meets the epic tier quota of the first book?

Outside of the Dragons and Demogorgon entry I am just wondering where the epic monsters are coming from? Also no abominations this time around is a bit sad, I was hoping for the Xixecal to be in there given the Frost Giants are present.

In the previews we have seen the Ultimate Beholder Tyrant as well as the Firbolg in the Epic tier. I also heard mention of an Archangel.

Presumably Eldritch Giants, Neogis and the Primordial Colossus. Maybe a demon or a devil, but other than that it appears a tad 'epic-lite'.

Can someone with the book confirm this is or is not the case? Thanks.

Also did they make Demogorgon Level 34?

 

[Klaus]

I see a lot of monsters from various Dragon Mags/Adventures in there, too.

Also, very few fey. It surprises me too that they're going out of their way to make NPCs of the new races: Half-Orcs and Devas and suchlike.

Looks like they're rounding out the Archons, too.

However, this has made me pre-order the book. Hells yeah.

Which monsters do you see that are from Adventures/Mags?

 

[avin]

Problem is, guys, that "ecology" articles and books barely cover the basic monsters. Draconomicon, som Undead... but some monsters, let's say 3.5 Ibixian, just for the sake of example, never get good fluff.

Even if there's some good fluff around I would be paying more for what I want than DMs who just want stat blocks to use their own fluff or no fluff at all.

By the way, I always use my own fluff, I always change monster's fluff to adapt to some campaign or another, all creatures on my games have ecology variations, so I want inspiration.

The way it is, for me, MM is the bastard son of 4E. Fourth edition combat is a LOT OF FUN, and Wotc designers seem to have decided to reduce fluff on MM to insert more stats for combat.

I still think it was made for DMs who just put the monsters there to be killed, not minding about why they are there. Not wrong, not bad, just another playstyle

 

[Rechan]

Which monsters do you see that are from Adventures/Mags?

Arbalester B.een all over the place - Draconomicon, Thunderspire - or Dungeon, I'm not sure.
Behir - Dungeon
Duerger - Thunderspire.
Firbolg - Dungeon
Ice Troll - Trollhaunt
Nothic - Trollhaunt
Troll VineSpeaker - Trollhaunt
Will-O-Wisp - Trollhaunt
Yochlol Tempter - Demon Queen's Enclave.

 

[Keefe the Thief]

Would it be possible for those who want to criticize the fluff/crunch ratio in a MM to fork a thread next time? Its always the same posters and always the same arguments cluttering a MM content-discussion thread every time a new one comes out.

This is just a nice plea, because i really don´t want to scan the MM III thread and have to sort through "conceptually, like WoW" and "why, more fluff would be puff" posts again.

Thank you.

 

[Hereticus]

Yes, because hack'n slash is a totally new concept due to 4e and WoW...

Your snide statement aside, hack'n slash is more often a characteristic of:
- New gamers.
- Young gamers.
- Gamers who do not want a storyline.

You're tactic of building a strawman does little to further this conversation.

 

[Rechan]

Your snide statement aside, hack'n slash is more often a characteristic of:
- New gamers.
- Young gamers.
- Gamers who do not want a storyline.

Share with the class where you found your data.

 

[Hereticus]

Share with the class where you found your data.

Experience.

Have you noticed different?

 

[Klaus]

Easy, people, easy!

Yes, the 4e MM1 was heavy on crunch and light on fluff. Fiery Dragon took another route with the 4e Creature Collection, where the "Lore" entries are often the biggest part of a monster entry. When the MM2 comes out, we'll see how it compares to the MM1 and the CC.